VanFulpen’s Mock Draft 2.0

With the Jay Cutler trade now done, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Byron Leftwich here is the latest Mock Draft:

1. Lions: QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
Lions want a franchise quarterback and get one with Stafford. Now they hope he isn’t the next Joey Harrington.

2. Rams: OT Jason Smith, Baylor
They cut Orlando Pace and now they have a replacement with Smith.

3. Chiefs: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
This gives the Chiefs bookend tackles as the reunite Monroe with Brandon Albert.

4. Seahawks: LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Curry is possible the best player in the draft and he'll replace Julian Peterson.

5. Browns: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The Browns are looking to trade Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants and Crabtree would be the perfect replacement.

6. Bengals: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
The Bengals need help in the offensive line and Smith gives that to them.

7. Raiders: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Al Davis loves speed and Heyward-Bey was the fastest wide receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine.

8. Jacksonville: DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Raji gives the Jaguars a player to team with John Henderson on the inside of the defensive line.

9. Packers: OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
Orakpo teams up with Aaron Kampman to give the Packers two great outside pass rushers.

10. 49ers: OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The 49ers could go with quarterback Mark Sanchez here as well.

11. Bills: OLB Everette Brown, Florida State
Brown gives the Bills the pass rusher they are looking for.

12. Broncos: QB Mark Sanchez, USC
Sanchez is the replacement for quarterback Jay Cutler now in Chicago.

13. Redskins: DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
The Redskins cut Jason Taylor and use their first round pick to replace him.

14. Saints: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Saints cut Mike McKenzie, Davis will take his place.

15. Texans: LB Clay Matthews, USC
Matthews' name is huge in Houston with his uncle Bruce now part of the organization and the Texans are looking to upgrade the linebacker core.

16. Chargers: LB Brian Cushing, USC
Cushing is a perfect fit for the 3-4 scheme, with the potential to play inside or outside.

17. Jets: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Maclin is a replacement for Laveranues Coles who is now with the Bengals.

18. Broncos: OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Maybin helps them in their switch to the 3-4 defense.

19. Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Yes the Buc’s signed Leftwich, but Freeman is their quarterback of the future.

20. Lions: LB Rey Maualuga, USC
Maualuga starts from day one in the middle for the Lions.

21. Eagles: RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
Wells is the big back that the Eagles lack.

22. Vikings: WR Percy Harvin, Florida
Harvin play-making skills will go perfect with Adrian Peterson.

23. Patriots: CB Darius Butler, Connecticut
Patriots need help in the secondary and Butler might turn out to be the best one.

24. Falcons: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
Pettigrew would give Matt Ryan a big target, but they might not draft him if they can pull the trade off for Tony Gonzalez.

25. Dolphins: CB Malcolm Jenkins, OSU
Jenkins is the kind of big physical cornerback that the Dolphins like.

26. Ravens: OLB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Laurinaitis starts from day one next to Ray Lewis, and when Lewis is done takes over for him.

27. Colts: DT Evander Hood, Missouri
Hood is a perfect fit for the Tampa Two defense the Colts run.

28. Eagles: OT Eben Britton, Arizona
Britton give the Eagles help on the offensive line.

29. Giants: RB Donald Brown, UConn
This pick could be the Browns if they make the trade for Braylon Edwards.

30. Titans: DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
The Titans start to try to replace Albert Haynesworth.

31. Cardinals: RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Moreno in, Edge out in Arizona.

32. Steelers: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
The best defense in the league gets better with Jackson.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box

On The Clock: Minnesota Vikings

Record: 10-6, 1st In the NFC North
General Manager: Rick Spielman (VP of Player Personnel), Head Coach: Brad Childress (4th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Bevell (4th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Leslie Frazier (3rd Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 17 Overall, No. 12 Scoring, No. 25 Passing, No. 5 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 6 Overall, No. 13 Scoring, No. 18 Passing, No. 1 Rushing

Last Five Years: 41-39; Last Playoff Appearance: 2008; Last Playoff Victory: 2004 (31-17 Over the Green Bay Packers)

2008 Draft: (2-43) S Tyrell Johnson, (5-137) QB John David Booty, (5-152) DT Letroy Guion, (6-187) C John Sullivan, (6-193) WR Jaymar Johnson

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (2-43) S Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas St.
2007 – (1-7) RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
2006 – (1-17) LB Chad Greenway, Iowa
2005 – (1-7) WR Troy Williamson, South Carolina & (1-18) DE Erasmus James, Wisconsin
2004 – (1-20) DE Kenechi Udeze, USC

Booms: RB Mewelde Moore (4th Round 2004), DE Ray Edwards (4th Round 2006), LB Chad Greenway (1st Round 2006), RB Adrian Peterson (1st Round 2007), DE Brian Robison (4th Round 2007)

Busts: LB Dontarrius Thomas (2nd Round 2004), DE Darrion Scott (3rd Round 2004), WR Troy Williamson (1st Round 2005), DE Erasmus James (1st Round 2005), OG Marcus Johnson (2nd Round 2005), DB Dustin Fox (3rd Round 2005), RB Ciatrick Fason (4th Round 2005), QB Tarvaris Jackson (2nd Round 2006)

Additions:
WR Glenn Holt (Free Agent)
QB Sage Rosenfels (Trade)
CB Karl Paymah (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
C Matt Birk (FA-Baltimore)
LB Vincenzo Ciurciu (Released)
QB Gus Frerotte (Released)
RB Maurice Hicks (Released)

Keepers:
LB Heath Farwell
DB Charles Gordon
DE Otis Grigsby
DT Jimmy Kennedy
TE Jim Kleinsasser
DE Jayme Mitchell
DB Benny Sapp
FB Naufahu Tahi (Matched Offer Sheet)

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 22
Round 2, Selection 22
Round 3, Selection 22
Round 5, Selection 22
Round 7, Selection 12 (From Washington)
Round 7, Selection 22

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Quarterback: Mark Sanchez, USC; Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
2. Offensive Tackle: Andre Smith, Alabama; Eben Britton, Arizona; William Beatty, UConn; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
3. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Hakeem Nicks, UNC; Brian Robiskie, OSU; Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma; Mike Thomas, Arizona
4. Middle Linebacker: Rey Maualuga, USC; James Laurinaitis, Ohio St.; Darry Beckwith, LSU
5. Center: Alex Mack, California; Max Unger, Oregon; Eric Wood, Louisville
6. Fullback: None.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, UNC Athletic Communications

Combine: The Need For Speed

The 2009 NFL Scouting Combine came and went with seemingly less hype than previous editions. Was it due to the fact that we didn’t have a player participate that was seen as “the next big thing” in the NFL? Maybe, but despite the lack of a potential mega-combine-star, there were still several things we learned from this year's combine.

The first thing we learned is that this year's draft class contains running backs that are not extremely fast. Cedric Peerman from Virginia ran the fastest 40 time at 4.45, and only four running backs cracked the 4.5 mark. Last year we saw 13 running backs break the 4.5 mark, with the group having an average 40 yard time of 4.51. This year's running back class had an average time of 4.58. This pretty big drop in averages over a one-year period, one which we don't typically see.

Staying with the theme of speed, the next thing we learned is that the 2009 wide receiver class is fast. Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland ran the fastest 40 time at 4.3, and 13 players ran 4.45 or better. Last year's class only had 11 players break that mark, the fastest being the 4.35 by Cal’s DeSean Jackson. The 2009 combine saw an average 40 time of 4.49 compared to the 4.52 average time posted by the 2008 class. This is more of an average variation we are used to seeing, unlike that of the 2008 and 2009 running back classes.

Another combine is in the books and—as always—the things we've learned will be reflected in this year's draft. Speed was found, but not in the place many were expecting it to be. The only thing left to do now is see whose stock rose, whose fell, and whose stayed the same; only the 2009 NFL draft has the answer.